Perspectives: Free speech is a two-way street

Some of the more abrasive encounters between Muslims and others have not centered around politics or foreign policy, but in the arena of free expression. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Obama campaign: Zero tolerance for Muslim participation in politics?

The very people who fight to push Muslims out of the public square are also the ones clamoring for our communities to get out in the streets and prove our loyalty to the US. If only they could see the contradiction for themselves.

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A vibrant Muslim media could have an opportunity to restore balance to the Muslim public image – if it can get on its feet. In this episode, we explore the state of the Muslim media. Also, an interview with the creator of “Muslim Cafe”, Navid Akhtar.

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Where in the world is altmuslim? This month, we report on the halal industry from the World Halal Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and from Milan, Italy where we speak to Italian Muslims about the challenges they face.

South by Southwest 2008: Geeking out at SXSW Interactive

There is no better place to mingle with other geeks than at South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive, one of the largest Internet-focused conferences in the country, where we presented a panel discussion on “Online Extremism – And The Muslims Who Fight It”

US Elections: Blocking the vote

Block vote proponents are faced with two bad choices: either tell Muslims to abandon the candidate that the majority supports, or take credit for a block of votes they had nothing to do with creating.

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This month, we have a special report from the US-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar. Also, an interview with Dalia Mogahed, co-author of the forthcoming book “What a Billion Muslims Really Think”

US-Islamic World Forum: Like “Groundhog Day”

What happens when you get 200 academics, activists, policy wonks, politicians, and journalists – all with opinions across the spectrum – into a room to try to determine the best course of action to improve the relationship between the US and the Muslim world? Unfortunately, not much.

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The US presidential race is in full swing and we discuss Muslim involvement in the campaigns and our attempts at a block vote. Also, a perspective from recently elected San Carlos city councilmember Omar Ahmad.

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We’re back with a conversation with Eboo Patel of the Interfaith Youth Corps about the challenges Muslims will be facing in the coming year. Also, a recap of what we were up to in 2007, and a promise for 2008.